Frontier Gas Exploration Grants Program

• To provide funding support to undertake on-ground activities directly relating to exploration and or appraisal of gas-bearing formations in the Bowen and Galilee Basins (but excluding the portion of the Bowen Basin that stratigraphically underlies the Surat Basin).
• To support novel operational approaches to optimise likelihood of technical success and program viability of exploration and appraisal works including for example:
  1. Consortia style approaches to secure and share key equipment and or services, such as drilling rigs or well completion services.
• Make available from the program information to benefit forecasting, planning and future decision making by both government and broader industry.
• The program will only support funding for future, and not retrospective costs incurred in association with agreed activities as set out in the grant Funding Deed.
• For the purposes of the program, the Bowen Basin is limited to only the portion of the basin that is not stratigraphically underlying the Surat Basin.

Only applicants that meet the below eligibility requirements can apply for funding under the program:

• The applicant must be the holder of a granted Authority to Prospect (ATP) or Petroleum Lease (PL) within the boundaries of the Bowen and/or Galilee Basins, Queensland
• All relevant legislative approvals and requirements as they apply to petroleum activities must be in place for the relevant ATP or PL at the time of application and duration of project term.
• The applicant must be in full compliance with all relevant legislation and approvals with all tenure in Queensland that it holds or has interest in and must remain in compliance for the duration of the project term.
• The applicant must have sufficient financial capacity and technical capability to conduct their agreed work program throughout the project term. This must be evidenced by a letter from either the CEO or CFO confirming both. Applicants (Entities and their CEO/CFO) may be subject to a financial probity check as part of the assessment process.
• The applicant must have an Australian Business or Company Number (ABN or ACN), an Australian bank account, and be registered for GST.
• Public liability insurance must be held for a minimum of $20 million dollars for the duration of the project term, with evidence of renewal provided to the Department should it lapse during the project term. This level of insurance must be held by the applicant, and all entities undertaking the activity (such as tenement operators and drilling companies).

The program is not open to holders of coal or mineral permits including:

• Exploration Permit for Coal
• Exploration Permit for Minerals
• Mineral Development Licence
• Mining Lease, including those with mineral hydrocarbon rights

See the guidelines for full details of organisations eligible for FGEGP support.

Proposals will be ranked on technical merit and alignment with the program’s assessment criteria:

1. The extent to which the proposal increases geological and reservoir knowledge of the Bowen and/or Galilee Basins, including information on production characteristics with the aim to bolster gas resources available for the East Coast Australian market. (30 points)
2. The extent to which on-ground activities may develop new resources in frontier regions of the Bowen and/or Galilee Basins with an integrated strategy to bring gas to market in a timely manner. (30 points)
3. The extent to which new techniques, formation and operational approaches are undertaken. (20 points)
4. The extent to which new information is gathered that may benefit forecasting, planning and future decision making by both government and industry. (10 points)
5. The extent to which the project forms part of a realistic, integrated strategy to bring gas supply to market. (10 points)

See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.

Applicants must:

• Read and understand the guidelines.
• Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
• Provide complete information requirements.

The attached form in the guidelines must be submitted as part of an application. Below lists the information needed to complete the form:

• Applicant details:
  1. Confirm if this application is from a single applicant or forms part of a consortium of aligned applicants for a Program grant.
  2. Contact Name (this should be the person who will be primary contact for dealings or questions relating to the application. If the application is part of a consortium, this should be the leading contact person related to the application and proposal.)
  3. Contact Email Address
  4. Contact Phone Number
  5. Business Name
  6. Business ABN/ACN
  7. Confirm GST registration
  8. If this application forms part of a consortium, please list all consortium business names
• Project Details:
  1. Project Title
  2. Funding amount requested (exclusive of GST)
  3. Estimated total amount of expected expenditure for project (exclusive of GST)
  4. List all granted tenure where the proposal will take place
• Attachments
  1. Proposal documents at a minimum should:
     • a short company introduction
     • address all assessment criteria
     • provide a short summary on the location, geology/formation reservoir details, target description and depth including a discussion on previous work either undertaken by the company or previous tenure holders
     • outline details of the activity being proposed and any modelling
  2. Provide a copy of the public liability insurance for a minimum of $20 million in the name of the business
  3. A letter from the CEO/CFO confirming:
     • sufficient funds and
     • technical capacity to carry out the project
  4. provide an event driven milestone table detailing project deliverables (see Table 2 for an example) and noting the relationship between milestones and progressive payment that:
     • applicants are required to customise milestone deliverables for each application;
     • not more than 40% and not less than 20% can be assigned to a single milestone; and
     • a final report must be included as a milestone.
  5. Proposed timeline for the project

See the guidelines for full details of support materials and other information requirements.

Applicants must email GSQ@Resouces.qld.gov.au to obtain a secure link to submit both the form in the guidelines and attachments.

Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this program and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.